You made it through the lines and long hours of travel, and now you’ve arrived at your vacation destination. How are you feeling? Exhausted? Good? Or, a combination of the two? Or, something else?

When we take our illness on the road, our experience is a bit different from that of our fellow travelers who might be more physically “able.” We need extra hours of rest, more attention to our diet and environment, and, sometimes, stretches of space and time when we can revive our drooping selves (much like a plant that’s placed in new soil).

Yes, we know we need special attention…but how do we do that when we’re surrounded by others who want to “get up and go” from dawn to dusk? Or, who believe that a vacation means all good/high energy and nothing low-key or reminiscent of the problems supposedly left behind at home?

In my previous post on “Illness on the Road,” I suggested packing all of the relaxation and prayer tools possible, along with the tangible health-related things like medications, insurance cards, etc. We need these for our own purpose, and also to manage our relationships with others as we proceed on our vacation. We have to be strong advocates, even on vacation, and understand that what we do even on vacation will impact our health well beyond. Want a good vacation? Do what is good on vacation.

Graceful advocacy, firm and gentle insistence on the rest and other things we need – these will enable vacation to be truly blessed for us, as well as others. And in allowing ourselves good things on vacation – good rest, good times, good fellowship, and good tending to our spirits and bodies – we’ll reap many benefits well into winter and on to the next vacation!

Maureen Pratt

Several years ago, Maureen Pratt earned her Master of Fine Arts in Theater Arts/Playwriting from UCLA's School of Theater, FIlm and Television. She expected to be writing scripts. God had other plans.

A few years after her graduation, Maureen was diagnosed with a life-threatening case of organ-involved lupus. Her life turned upside down as she grappled with the effects of the illness and other health conditions that ensued. She was no stranger to serious health challenges; even as a child, Maureen had survived numerous bouts of pneumonia, flu, and other infections. But lupus made her take a fresh look at her life goals - and took herlifelong, strong Catholic Christian faith and writing in a direction she'd never imagined.

Today, Maureen writes and speaks about walking with the Lord while living with chronic pain and illness. Her most recent book is "Don't Panic!: How to Keep Going When the Going Gets Tough (Franciscan Media). She is also the author of, "Peace in the Storm: Meditations on Chronic Pain & Illness" (Image Books/Randomhouse), "Beyond Pain: Job, Jesus, and Joy" (Twenty-Third Publications), "The First Year: Hypothyroidism, Second Edition" (Perseus) and "Taking Charge of Lupus: How to Manage the Disease and Make the Most of Your LIfe." She writes the syndicated column, "Living Well," for Catholic News Service, and has also written for Saint Anthony Messenger Magazine, Journey for Women Magazine, The Upper Room Magazine, LupusNow, and Arthritis Today. Maureen's health continues to be a challenge, however she feels honored to be able to bring her perspective, from experience and knowledge, to others.

"Good Days...Bad Days with Maureen Pratt" is a new way for Maureen to reach people who carry the burden of illness and pain in their lives, or who care for someone who does. Through the blog, she hopes to bring issues of health, wellness, and spirit into focus and, especially, inspire others that, no matter what health challenges, illness, or hardships they endure, each person can find a good way to realize the wonderful potential God has placed within each heart and soul.